Six people have been confirmed dead and 130 remain missing after an Indonesian passenger ferry capsized in rough seas during a voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Rescue teams successfully pulled 107 people to safety, while search operations continue at full intensity to locate those still unaccounted for.
The 119-meter vessel was carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members when it departed on Saturday before issuing a distress signal. Ships and helicopters have been dispatched to the disaster site, with the rescue operation managed by a force of 280 personnel from the navy, maritime police, and search and rescue agency.
At Triskarti Port, anxious family members have gathered hoping for information about their missing loved ones and seeking clear answers from authorities. Rosmilawati, who came to the port to inquire about eight of her relatives, shared a chilling message one of them had posted on social media: "The waves are really scary tonight. Or is this just what normally happens on a ship journey, rocking and crashing into the waves?"
One woman broke into tears after learning her husband had survived the ordeal and been rescued safely. Meanwhile, other relatives continued to wait anxiously for any news about the crew members who were aboard the vessel.
In this region of Indonesia, which comprises thousands of islands, ferries serve as a primary means of daily transportation, but maritime accidents are sadly not rare. According to official data, between 2020 and 2026, 111 different maritime accidents occurred, including a ferry sinking in July and another vessel catching fire last month.
